So Inga is back with working idiot lights and a charging Alternator.

After finding (more like pointed to) the problem with Inga my still faithful 86 245DL last night I have to hang my head in shame.

First, I did not use all the resources at my disposal. Pulled the new Bentley out used the schematic to trouble shoot. If I had just also pulled out the yellowed, grease covered, duct taped on cover Hayes, and really taken the time to look at it, I would have clearly seen how the circuit worked. That Bentley Schematic is to be honest not very good and I do not think that is rationalizing. For someone with old eyes and no magnifying glass, it was very hard to read. It took a couple of look here ding dong posts yesterday (they were tastefully done) to make me stop and see that I was chasing the wrong rabbit. I was not even close to finding or fixing the problem without those posts.

Pride in my workmanship skills was the other sin. I was so sure that one of my crimps and wiring jobs could not be the problem. That overconfidence meant I failed to really check things. Hooked my VOM up with the new fuse and checked the resistance from chassis to the Alt Housing. Expected to have zero ohms and then go get the warranty replacement Alternator. Connected up the leads and looked down at the VOM and what the heck 1K ohms? Reused a blue ground wire from the old harness and that sucker was cracked, corroded, and barely hanging on. The insulation was cracked, and the copper really eaten up. Put a wire from chassis and clipped it on the Alt housing and lights followed by 14 VDC on the meter when started. Replaced the ground wire a new 14 gauge wire and she is good to go.

The BB saved (once again) hours of more wrong rabbit chasing. I will be scanning in the Hayes block diagrams and adding that to the back of the Bentley along with adding notes.

It may also be time for new progressive lens glasses.

Many Thanks!

Paul